Lowndes County Commission approves hyperscale data center despite resident concerns

The Lowndes County Commission approved an agreement for a hyperscale data center after months of resident concerns about potential effects on water resources, farmland, utility costs and community quality of life. Opinion writer Phillip Ensler said the commission failed to provide residents with adequate answers or transparency and did not reflect their wishes.

Ensler said he would continue supporting residents opposing the project and called for Alabama to impose a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. He argued that a pause would give the Legislature time to establish community protections, prohibit nondisclosure agreements by public officials and provide residents with a greater role in development decisions.